The Borno State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has initiated legal proceedings against a woman accused of severely abusing and exploiting a four-year-old girl in her care.
The woman, who is not the child’s biological mother, reportedly subjected the young girl to extreme neglect, leading to severe malnutrition.
In a disturbing twist, the accused allegedly exploited the child’s poor condition to fraudulently obtain food aid that was meant for those genuinely in need.
The case came to the attention of the Ministry following reports of the girl’s condition. Upon receiving this information, the Commissioner of the Ministry, Hon. Hajjia Zuwaira Gambo, took swift action.
She ordered the immediate arrest of the woman and initiated legal proceedings against her for charges related to child abuse and exploitation.
In her statement on Wednesday, Hon. Gambo expressed deep concern over the mistreatment of the child and reaffirmed the government’s strong stance against any form of child abuse.
She emphasized that such offenses would not be tolerated and that anyone found guilty of such crimes would face the full weight of the law.
Currently, the young girl is under the protective care of the Ministry, where she is receiving proper nutrition, counseling, and support to help her recover physically and emotionally from the trauma she has endured.
The Ministry has also launched a thorough investigation into the matter, with plans to hand over the case to the appropriate legal authorities once all evidence has been gathered.
The accused woman remains in custody, pending further legal actions. The Ministry continues to work closely with law enforcement and other agencies to ensure justice is served and to prevent similar cases of abuse and exploitation in the future.
This case serves as a reminder of the government’s dedication to protecting the rights and well-being of children, and it underscores the importance of vigilance in identifying and reporting instances of abuse.
